roke over her decks, every now and then sweeping a man away to
sure death in the raging sea. It seemed folly to attempt to launch
lifeboats in such a furious sea, but the captain of the "Bienville"
determined to make the attempt to save the men on the doomed "Winfield
Scott." The crew was piped to quarters, and the captain asked for
volunteers to go to the rescue. Man after man stepped forward, until
enough had been secured to man three boats with ten men each.
Carefully the boats were dropped into the sea, and man after man swung
into them; then they put off and started for the sinking ship. But
while these preparations were being made, the two ships had been
drifting closer and closer together. Soon it was seen that a collision
was inevitable. Fortunately the boats were broadside on, so that the
cutting effect of a blow from the bow was avoided. They were presently
so near each other that the men began jumping from the deck of the
"Winfield Scot" upon that of the "Bienville." The leap, though a
perilous one, was made in safety by over thirty men. Suddenly a great
wave lifted the ships up and dashed them together. Three poor
wretches, just about to jump, were caught between the vessels and
crushed to death. A few sharp cries of agony, and all was over; and
the vessels, drifting apart, let their bodies, crushed beyond
recognition, fall into the water. By this time the small boats, with
their determined crews on board, had succeeded in getting around to
the lee side of the sinking ship, and the work of getting the soldiers
and sailors over the side was begun. By the most strenuous efforts all
were saved, and the "Bienville" steamed away, leaving the "Winfield
Scott" to her fate.

[Illustration: Du Pont's Expedition off Cape Hatteras.]

Night came on, with the gale blowing with still greater fury. The wind
shrieked through the cordage, and now and again a great wave would
sweep across the decks of the crowded vessels, making the men hang on
to the rigging for dear life. Soon another ship began to go to pieces.
The "Governor," which had been steaming along near the "Wabash"
since the time of leaving Hampton Roads, had become separated from
her consort during the gale of the first day. On the second night,
those aboard her perceived that she was showing signs of weakness, and
was likely to go down with all on board unless aid could be obtained.
Not a sail, however, was in sight; and every wave seemed about to
overwhelm or